West Ham United could complete some brilliant business in January if they can sell winger Said Benrahma and replace him with Leeds United star Wilfried Gnonto.
David Moyes will know he’s got a great opportunity to help West Ham kick on this season as they continue to fight on three fronts.
That means continuing to try and upgrade his squad, which means moving on £20m signing Said Benrahma who is no longer featuring regularly.
HITC Football understands that the Algerian international is one of several players the club is willing to let go this month.
They could also part ways with top-earner Danny Ings and striker partner Michail Antonio if he recovers from injury before the window shuts.
West Ham could make top decision by replacing Benrahma with Gnonto
Although West Ham are looking to sell several players this month, they also want to make some upgrades of their own.
HITC Football also believes that the Hammers are considering an approach for Wilfried Gnonto but face competition from several Serie A clubs.
The 20-year-old isn’t starting every week for Daniel Farke’s side and Leeds are understood to be open to letting the Italian international move on.
Moyes now has some of the most exciting attacking talent in the Premier League at his disposal.
Adding Gnonto’s directness and trickiness to his arsenal would be fantastic, but any incomings are likely to depend on several players moving on.
Time is up for Benrahma at the London Stadium
Benrahma arrived at West Ham in 2020 but has struggled to establish himself as a star at the London Stadium.
In his best campaign, he started 26 games during the 2021/22 season and scored eight times, laying on six assists.
However, the 28-year-old’s importance has waned this year, starting just five times in the Premier League.
West Ham would be wise to cash in on Benrahma now if they can and Gnonto would be a fantastic player for the present and the future.
Gnonto at risk of not reaching potential at Leeds
When Leeds signed Gnonto from FC Zurich at the start of last season, manager Jesse Marsch admitted he didn’t think he’d be ready for the Premier League immediately.
However, just a few months later, the Italian international was starting against Manchester City and scoring against their cross-city rivals.
He provided six goal contributions in the league last year but has played less than 800 minutes of league football in the Championship this season.
Question marks over his future in the summer limited his involvement, but he’s still struggling to break into Farke’s side.
A move to West Ham might be the perfect fresh start for Gnonto and if Benrahma departs, it could open up the perfect spot in the squad for him.
Gnonto would have the perfect mentor at West Ham
Moyes has no shortage of exciting, attacking forwards to choose from right now although the team are short of traditional centre-forwards.
Jarrod Bowen has starred in a move advanced role, but after limping off against Bristol City, suddenly the Hammers look short in that area.
Gnonto can play as a striker, but he thrives in a wider role and new signing Mohammed Kudus might be the perfect role model for the 20-year-old.
Kudus has been sensational since his move from Ajax and the Hammers will desperately miss him while he’s at the African Cup of Nations.
If Gnonto wants to take his game to the next level, he could learn an awful lot from the 23-year-old.
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